The 2012-2013 Bowl Blitz Invitational presented by STAT BOX STORIES continues with the 2013 Heart of Dallas Bowl, which matches up the Purdue Boilermakers (6-6, 3-5 Big Ten) and Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-5, 5-4 Big 12). STAT BOX STORIES owner Brian Parker took control of the youthful Cowboys of Stillwater, playing in a less impressive venue than last season’s Bowl Game destination but nonetheless hopeful for a Bowl Game victory.

Cowboys prevail in Heart of Dallas Bowl shoot-out over Purdue, 38-24

Dallas, T.X. – Playing in the home of the annual showdown between two of their biggest Big 12 Conference rivals, the Oklahoma State Cowboys appeared a bit starstruck, at least early on in the 2013 Heart of Dallas Bowl. The boys from Stillwater would recover, however, and emerge victorious at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

The game began well enough for the Cowboys, who took less than two minutes to score on a 7-yard run by HB #1. Purdue got the next two scores on the board, however, with a 6-yard run and a 2-yard run by QB #19 before the end of the first quarter to go up 14-7.

Just under three minutes into the second quarter, Oklahoma State tied the game with an 8-yard run by HB #31. Three minutes later, the Cowboys found the end zone again as well as the lead on a 4-yard run by HB #1. The Boilermakers managed to kick a 36-yard field goal as time expired to cut the lead to 21-17, and what was expected to be a sure Cowboys victory was certainly contested at halftime.

The Cowboys began to pull away in the third quarter, beginning with a 28-yard field goal to extend the lead to a touchdown. Just over a minute later, a 43-yard pass from QB #10 to WR #87 took the Oklahoma State lead up to two full touchdowns. Purdue managed to get a touchdown back with under a minute remaining in the third quarter, courtesy of another rushing score by QB #19. Those would prove to be their last points of the day, however.

Oklahoma State once again re-established their two touchdown lead on a 6-yard run by HB #31 with 3:31 remaining in the game, putting the Cowboys out of Purdue’s reach. When the Boilermakers QB #19 threw his second interception with 1:45 remaining, their luck had run out and they never again saw possession. The youthful Cowboys squad kneeled out the game, bringing home back-to-back Bowl Game victories for their program.

Player of the Game: Oklahoma State HB #31, who rushed 24 times for 126 yards and two touchdowns in relief of HB #1, who exited the game due to injury late in the first half.

It was over when… Oklahoma State FS #8 intercepted Purdue QB #19 at the Cowboys 23-yard-line with 1:45 remaining in the game. The Boilermakers never got the ball back as OSU ran out the time left in the fourth quarter.

Game Ball goes to… Purdue QB #19, who accounted for all three of his team’s touchdowns on the ground.

Stat of the Game: 4. Two interceptions and two lost fumbles by Purdue killed drives which could have allowed them to stay in the game, while the Cowboys were flawless in the turnover department.

Statistical Tidbits: Purdue HB #23 rushed 17 times for 132 yards, but failed to score on the day despite QB #19 accounting for three rushing touchdowns. … The two teams combined for 454 yards rushing and 7 rushing touchdowns for the game. Neither team surpassed the 200-yard mark in passing, and only the Cowboys managed to score through the air. … Oklahoma State faced 13 third down situations, converting 10 of them. Purdue was 4-for-7 on third down, as well as 1-for-1 on fourth down. … Purdue converted all of their red zone attempts with three touchdowns and a field goal. The Cowboys went 5-for-6 with four touchdowns and a field goal; their “missed” opportunity came at the close of the game when they had the ball deep in Purdue territory but opted to run out the clock. … Oklahoma State had 104 yards on kickoff returns, while Purdue did not have a single return attempt due to touchbacks.